Amnesty UK Kills Event over Featured Speaker Who Opposes BDS

Amnesty International UK on Monday cancelled an event that had been planned for their London offices this Wednesday, because the featured speaker, Hillel Neuer of UN Watch, has written an article praising companies doing business with Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, the Middle East Monitor reported.

The event, organized by the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), had been set for Wednesday evening at Amnesty International UK, 25 New Inn Yard, and was titled “The UN Human Rights Council and Israel – How it works, what’s not working, and how it might be repaired.” It was scheduled to feature a debate between Hillel Neuer of UN Watch, and Fred Carver of the UN Association. The debate was going to be chaired by British human rights lawyer Danny Friedman QC.

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However, MEM reported, after concerns were raised both externally and within the organization, Amnesty UK has pulled the plug, saying it has “improved the way we review the hosting of events at Amnesty.”

“We are currently campaigning for all governments around the world to ban the import of goods produced in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian Territories,” said Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK’s Director of Supporter Campaigning and Communications, “We do not think it’s appropriate for Amnesty to host an event by an organization that actively supports Israel’s settlements.”

JLC Chair Jonathan Goldstein said in a statement that “it is disgraceful that a Jewish charity is barred from the offices of Amnesty International UK. For a long time, our community has been deeply disappointed by Amnesty International UK’s approach to Israel and the Jewish community, yet we had sought positive engagement. By withdrawing their offer to host and event on the role of the UN Human Rights Council, it is clear that Amnesty International UK’s claim ‘to protect Freedom of Expression’ is only on their terms. We have long argued that the aggressive criticism of Israeli government policy creates an environment where anti-Semitism thrives and it is highly regrettable than on this occasion Amnesty International UK’s decision has targeted the Jewish community.”